Machu Picchu guide day 1 or 2??
 

Hi

Going to MP in October and was after some advice on when best to get a guide please.

We arrive in Aguas Calientes from Cusco on the Vistadome at 10am on Day 1 so hoping to get to MP after we leave our bags at hotel, have a guide to show us what everything is (couple hours?) and stay for the afternoon. Then Day 2 go to MP very early to do the Huayna Picchu walk and explore some more and then taking the late train to Ollantaytambo.

Does that sound ok or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Could I organise the guide in the few days we are in Cusco before hand?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanku all.

I think getting a guide for the first day is a good idea, then wing it on your own the second day when you hike Huayna Picchu. It seemed you could easily get guides there in AC.

Have you considered hiking KM 104 the first day? This is the chachabamba trail, about 20 or so kilometers, taking you to Winaywana (which I loved, even having explored Ollantaytambo's ruins the day before!

We took the 8 am train out of Ollanta, got off at KM 104, and hiked "slowly" to MP, arriving for breathtaking vistas of the sanctuary at about 4 pm. We were enjoying wine in our Inkaterra suite by 6:00 pm.

Up the next morning to go to MP. Opted not to get a guide (I was a bit sickly..., but it did not undermine the extraordinary experience of MP!) Our second morning in AC, we walked about the Inkaterra property, and all about the little shanty town of AC. Having a good lunch, shopping, and just simply relaxing. Caught the 3:30 train that afternoon.

MP / AC a great experience (one or two nights!) We were there in March 2008, the rainy season.

Good luck with your planning.

4everywhere - do you have to make advance reservations for the KM104 hike? How difficult a hike is it. I am trying to plan our time in MP for next April, and if we do this, I'd probably want to add another day to my itinerary.

You absolutely need to make reservations for Km104 and get a permit. There are only so many a day and they do get all snapped up in peak travel time. You will also need an official guide for the Km104 hike as you do for all Inka Trail hikes.

We did it in September and while it was challenging at certain points, I think if you are reasonably fit, you can handle it. We took the 8am train from Olla, got off at the km104 marker and made it to the Sun Gate by 1:30 (after a long lunch at that nasty backpacker hostel place). It took us about another 45 minutes to hike down into MP. We spent a couple hours exploring and then took the bus down to AC and the Inkaterra. Didn't get up for sunrise the next day as we were loving our suite so much we didn't want to leave.

Have fun.
taitai

To all: a very helpful website to determine available permits, and other informations

http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/...ilability.html

We got a guide on the spot right at the entrance to MP. Spent about 4 hours with her. Sonya. She was terrific. There were three or four guides hanging around at the entrance and we just decided on the spur of the moment to go with her. Well worth it.
Karen